Constant force mechanisms for regulating restriction devices
First Claim
1. A self-regulating restriction system, comprising:
- a restriction device for forming a restriction in a pathway;
a pressure adjustment unit in communication with the restriction device and effective to maintain a substantially constant equilibrium pressure between the restriction device and the pressure adjustment unit by regulating an amount of fluid in the restriction device, the pressure adjustment unit having a housing with a constant force mechanism and an expandable bellows disposed therein, the expandable bellows being in fluid communication with the restriction device, and the constant force mechanism applying a constant force to the expandable bellows; and
a set-point adjustment mechanism having an expandable bladder and a constant pressure spring, the set-point adjustment mechanism being aligned along a longitudinal axis with the pressure adjustment unit housing, the expandable bladder being inflatable to adjust the substantially constant equilibrium pressure, and the constant pressure spring being at least partially disposed around the expandable bladder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for regulating a restriction system. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided having a restriction device coupled to a port with a fluid disposed in the device, such that the restriction device is adapted to form a restriction in a pathway corresponding to an amount of fluid contained in the device, and a pressure adjustment unit in communication with the port and effective to maintain a substantially constant equilibrium pressure between the pressure adjustment unit and the restriction device. The pressure adjustment unit is configured to regulate an amount of fluid in the restriction device in response to a fluid pressure acting on the device.
1506 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A self-regulating restriction system, comprising:
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a restriction device for forming a restriction in a pathway; a pressure adjustment unit in communication with the restriction device and effective to maintain a substantially constant equilibrium pressure between the restriction device and the pressure adjustment unit by regulating an amount of fluid in the restriction device, the pressure adjustment unit having a housing with a constant force mechanism and an expandable bellows disposed therein, the expandable bellows being in fluid communication with the restriction device, and the constant force mechanism applying a constant force to the expandable bellows; and a set-point adjustment mechanism having an expandable bladder and a constant pressure spring, the set-point adjustment mechanism being aligned along a longitudinal axis with the pressure adjustment unit housing, the expandable bladder being inflatable to adjust the substantially constant equilibrium pressure, and the constant pressure spring being at least partially disposed around the expandable bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for automatically adjusting a restriction device, comprising:
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a housing; an expandable bellows defining a fluid reservoir disposed in the housing; a restriction device in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and configured to form a restriction in a pathway that corresponds to an amount of fluid contained within the restriction device; a constant force mechanism disposed in the housing, the constant force mechanism being coupled to the fluid reservoir and configured to apply a substantially constant force to the fluid reservoir to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the restriction device; and a set-point adjustment unit having an expandable bladder disposed therein, the set-point adjustment unit being aligned along a longitudinal axis with the housing, the set-point adjustment unit being coupled to the constant force mechanism and configured to change the substantially constant force applied by the constant force mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5)
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6. A self-regulating restriction system, comprising:
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a restriction device for forming a restriction in a pathway; a pressure adjustment unit in communication with the restriction device and effective to maintain a substantially constant equilibrium pressure between the restriction device and the pressure adjustment unit by regulating an amount of fluid in the restriction device, the pressure adjustment unit having a first constant pressure spring configured to apply a substantially constant pressure in the restriction device; and a set-point adjustment mechanism having an expandable bladder and a second constant pressure spring, the set-point adjustment mechanism being aligned along a longitudinal axis with the pressure adjustment unit, the expandable bladder being inflatable to adjust the substantially constant equilibrium pressure, and the second constant pressure spring being at least partially disposed around the expandable bladder. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification